Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS)

How to Avoid Hantavirus this Spring

As the snow melts, people begin their yearly spring cleaning and start to venture into garages, sheds, barns, and cabins rarely used in the wintertime. At least rarely used by humans. Rats and mice can often be found inhabiting these unused spaces. Exposure to these animals, their droppings, urine, or nests increases the risk of contracting a rare and deadly disease called Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, or HPS. You can help protect yourself and your family from HPS by understanding its sources, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

How HPS SpreadsHantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome is caused by a group of viruses called Hantaviruses. These viruses are carried by certain species of rodents like the deer mouse, white-footed mouse, rice rat, and cotton rat. While not all species of rodents are carriers, species identification can be difficult. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid contact with all wild mice and rats. Humans can contract HPS by breathing in dust contaminated with rodent urine and droppings, by direct contact with rodents or their urine and droppings, and through rodent bites.

HPS Symptoms and TreatmentOnce exposed to the virus, it takes 1-5 weeks for symptoms to appear. Early symptoms of HPS include fever, severe muscle aches, and fatigue. Approximately half of all patients also suffer from headaches, dizziness, chills, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or abdominal pain. 4-10 days after initial symptoms appear, patients begin to experience coughing and an increasing shortness of breath. This can quickly turn fatal. Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome has a 38% mortality rate. Anyone experiencing these symptoms, especially shortness of breath, with a history of recent rodent exposure should contact their physician immediately.

Seal Up! Seal human food, animal food, and trash cans in containers with tight fitting lids. Seal holes in your home around pipes, vents, windows, and doors. Mice can fit into holes the size of a nickel, while rats can fit into holes the size of a half dollar!

Trap Up! Snap traps and poison bait traps are effective methods of stopping an infestation once it has already started. Avoid glue and live traps as these may scare the rodents and cause them to urinate, increasing the potential to spread Hantaviruses.

Saturate dead rodents, droppings, urine, and nests with a bleach solution. This can be made by mixing 1 ½ cups of household bleach with 1 gallon of water. Smaller amounts can be made with 1 part bleach and 9 parts water. Let soak for at least 5 minutes. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for other disinfectants. This will both kill viruses and prevent them from becoming airborne.